Aston Villa coach accused of sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to young female players

The Football Association is facing questions over the protection of young women players after shocking allegations were made against a former Aston Villa manager, revealed by sports mail today.

Jack Peel is accused of sending inappropriate messages to academy players from several Women’s Super League clubs, including a request for nude photos, while he was head coach of the Premier League club’s women’s academy.

Peel was suspended by Villa in September 2021 after they received a complaint from a member of the first-team squad about his alleged conduct and conducted an internal investigation. The 27-year-old resigned on the day he was due to attend a formal disciplinary hearing in Villa but strongly denies the allegations, calling them “disgusting” and “untrue”.

Villa also reported the case to the FA, but the governing body has been accused of failing to properly investigate the matter. In addition to exposing the allegations against Peel sports mail can reveal:

• Peel was not officially interviewed by the FA and remained linked with a Tamworth base club, Dosthill Colts, for nine months after leaving Villa.

• Several of the teenage girls he allegedly wrote and their parents were never contacted by the FA.

• The PFA was not aware of the case until she was contacted by sports mail and are urgently seeking a meeting with the FA to determine what assistance, if any, has been offered to the players.

“I never felt like it was properly researched,” said one parent sports mail. “It really pisses me off that they didn’t investigate. Nobody has answers.

“Everyone is so afraid to speak out because they are worried about their football career. Every young girl wants a professional contract and when a coach sends you a message, these young girls will think he can take her somewhere.

Peel has been accused of sending inappropriate messages to players between the ages of 16 and 18 at Villa and is said to have asked players for nude photos, commented on their physical appearance and asked them to meet him outside of football.

This was announced by a spokesman for Aston Villa sports mail: “When allegations were raised about Jack Peel’s behaviour, he was immediately questioned and suspended by the club and we have also timely informed the FA and other relevant authorities in the same way.

“Peel’s suspension, which is standard practice in matters of this nature, was pending a formal disciplinary hearing. Before the hearing, he resigned.

“Aston Villa has cooperated fully with the FA, who are responsible for the Board’s protection inquiries. We can therefore not comment on their final sanctions.

“The club takes its responsibility to protect very seriously and is complying with all legal requirements set out by the FA and the Premier League in this sector.”

The 27-year-old resigned on the day he was due to attend a formal disciplinary hearing in Villa

Peel joined Villa in the summer of 2020 and previously worked at Birmingham but also knew West Brom and Wolves players through his work at the private coaching clinic, Elite Football Academy. The now-defunct company offered one-to-one coaching for male and female players and boasted high-profile clients including Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and West Brom defender Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

Several players who are said to have received messages from Peel have told Sportsmail they would start with questions about the football but became increasingly flirtatious before asking if they would meet him outside of training. Some players were reportedly asked to send nude photos, and when they didn’t respond, Peel asked why they were ignoring him.

players said sports mail about the distressing effect Peel’s alleged behavior was having on her life, stating that she was so disgusted with the news that she didn’t like football.

Another told sports mail how she felt uncomfortable about having to work out and squat in front of Peel after he texted her. She also said the experience made her uneasy around other male coaches.

Peel has been accused of sending inappropriate messages to players between the ages of 16 and 18

Several parents of the alleged victims have expressed concerns about the FA’s handling of the case and are upset that they have not been contacted directly. The allegations against Peel have not yet been subjected to an impartial scrutiny.

The PFA was also unaware of the case until last month.

“These are shocking allegations and we are surprised that this is the first time we are hearing about them,” said a PFA source sports mail.

An FA spokesman said: “The FA has robust safeguards in place and all referrals to the FA are handled in accordance with our policies and procedures. We do not comment on individual cases.”